CBO issues one of its regular reports that provides estimates of the caps on discretionary budget authority for each fiscal year through 2021. By CBO’s estimate, appropriations for fiscal year 2014 have not exceeded those caps.

From 2000 to 2013, the number of veterans receiving VA disability payments rose by nearly 55 percent, and spending for those benefits almost tripled. How might changes in VA's disability compensation program affect the federal budget?

Why has Medicare's prescription drug program cost less than anticipated when the program was created? How has competition between plan sponsors affected spending? How do Medicare Part D drug prices compare to those in Medicaid?

Even if future tax and spending policies match what is specified in current law, budgetary outcomes will undoubtedly differ from CBO’s projections because of unexpected changes in the economy, demographics, and other factors.

After the release of The 2014 Long-Term Budget Outlook, a number of people asked for more information about how much CBO has revised projected federal health care spending during the past several years. This post answers their questions.

This version of H.R. 3230 would authorize the appropriation of whatever sums are necessary for the VA to expand, for two years, its use of non-VA health care providers to provide medical services to veterans.